Mosquito Problems? Bring on the Bats: One small brown bat can eat several thousand insects each night. Install a...

When I was a kid, bats would occasionally fly into our house through the fireplace. My brother and his friends chased them around with tennis rackets. Fortunately, they had bad aim. We just didn’t know then that those mosquito-eating bats were our friends. One little brown bat can eat several thousand insects each night—and they have no interest in attacking us or our pets. If you have a mosquito problem or just want to diversify your backyard wildlife, consider inviting in bats with a bat house. Here’s what you need to know, from “Bats in Your Belfry: Make Your Home Bat-Friendly” in Natural Home & Garden . Photo by Merlin Tuttle/Bat Conservation International • Look for Bat Conservation International ’s seal of approval before buying or building a bat house. This nonprofit group’s website, BatCon.org , lists certified houses, do-it-yourself plans and climate-specific tips...